Thoracic splanchnic nerves
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| Nerve: Thoracic splanchnic nerves | ||
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| The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Splanchnic nerves labeled at left.) | ||
| Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses. | ||
| Gray's | subject #217 981 | |
| MeSH | A08.800.050.050.800 | |
Thoracic splanchnic nerves arise from the sympathetic trunk in the thorax and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic innervation to the abdomen. The nerves contain preganglionic sympathetic and visceral afferent fibers.
There are three main thoracic splanchnic nerves:
- The greater splanchnic nerve arises from the fifth through ninth thoracic ganglia of the sympathetic trunk. The nerve travels through the diaphragm and enters the abdominal cavity, where its fibers synapse at the celiac ganglia. The nerve contributes to the celiac plexus, a network of nerves located in the vicinity of where the celiac trunk branches from the abdominal aorta. The fibers in this nerve modulate the activity of the enteric nervous system of the foregut. They also provide the sympathetic innervation to the adrenal medulla, stimulating catecholamine release.
- The lesser splanchnic nerve arises from the tenth through twelth thoracic ganglia of the sympathetic trunk. The nerve travels inferiorly, lateral to the greater splanchnic nerve. Its fibers synapse with their postganglionic counterparts in the celiac ganglia, or in the aorticorenal ganglion. The nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the midgut.
- The least splanchnic nerve arises from the twelfth thoracic to second lumbar ganglia of the sympathetic trunk. The nerve travels into the abdomen, where its fibers synapse in the renal ganglia.
The nerve's origins can be remembered by the 5-4-3 rule. (T5-T9. T9-T12. T12-L2 for greater, lesser, and least respectively)
[edit] Additional images
Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system. |
The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia. |
Lower half of right sympathetic cord. |
The relations of the viscera and large vessels of the abdomen. Seen from behind, the last thoracic vertebra being well raised. |
[edit] External links
- Dictionary at eMedicine Thoracic+splanchnic+nerves
- SUNY Figs 21:04-07 - "The position of the right and left vagus nerves, and sympathetic trunks in the mediastinum."
- SUNY Labs 40:10-0102 - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Celiac Plexus"
| Autonomic nervous system |
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| sympathetic nervous system: sympathetic trunks (white ramus communicans, gray ramus communicans) - collateral ganglia cavernous plexus - cervical ganglia: (superior, middle, inferior) - splanchnic nerves: (thoracic, lumbar, sacral) - ganglion impar celiac: celiac ganglia - aorticorenal - renal - spermatic/ovarian - superior mesenteric - aortic plexus - inferior mesenteric - hepatic - splenic - gastric - pancreatic - suprarenal hypogastric: superior hypogastric - inferior hypogastric - vesical - prostatic - uterovaginal parasympathetic nervous system: ciliary ganglion (short ciliary nerves) - pterygopalatine ganglion (nerve of pterygoid canal) - submandibular ganglion - otic ganglion - pelvic splanchnic |
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